Upholstery making apparatus



June 19, 1934. A. s. MITCHELL 1,963,710

I UPHOLSTERY MAKING APPARATUS Filed April 15. 1952 s SheetS- -Sheet 1 y @w w gf A June 19, 1934. H LL 1,963,710

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UPHOLSTERY MAKING APPARATUS 6 Sheets Sheet 5 June 19, 1934. A. s. MITCHELL UPHOLS'IERY MAKING APPARATUS Filed April 15. 1952 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 June 19, 1934. MlTcHELL 1,963,710

UPHOLSTERY MAKING APPARATUS Filed April 15. 1932 e Sheets-Sheet 5' a J CJZ Wax/1M.

June 19, 1934. rrcH L I 1,963,710

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Patented June 19, I934 1,963,710 I UPHOLSTERYI MAKING APPARATUSI Allister S. Mitchell, Oakland, Calif., assignorto National Automotive Fibres, Inc., Detroit, Mich., a corporation of Delaware Application April 15, 1932, Serial No. 605,512

14 Claims. (01. 45-138) This invention relates particularly to upholstered cushions adapted for use in automobiles etc., and to a method and machinefor manufacturing the same. I

The primary object is to provide a cushion of improved construction and appearance, and an improved machine and method which will greatly facilitate manufacture of the stuffed, pleated upholstery. I

An important purpose of the present invention is to provide a machine particularly adapted to the use of pre-cut covers having a transverse welt. In the use of the improved machine, as prefer- 16 ably constructed, pre-cut covers, a lining-fabric, and strips of batting are fed through the machine, the pre-cut covers being lowermost as the work is fed through the machine the-liningf-abric has formed therein upstanding seam- 20 ridges; the pre-cut covers are fed, seriatim, over a suitable bed and provided with upstanding seam-ridges and intervening depressed pleats, or pipes, the seam-ridges of the covers becoming nested within the seam-ridgesof the lining- 26 fabric; strips of cotton-batting, or the like, are

drawn through with the fabrics and fill the pleats; and the upstanding, nested seam-ridges of the lining-fabric and of the pre-cut covers (suitably spaced) are sewed by means of sew- 80 ing mechanisms mounted on a cross-beam above the pathof the materials, each sewing-mechanism preferably comprising a head carrying a sewing-needle and looper-needle.

The work is fed' continuously through the ma- 85 chine. The lining is a continuous fabric; the

cotton batts are continuous strips; and the coverfabric preferably is pre-cut to' provide covers,

which, in the operation of the machine are sewed to the lining. If desired, the batts fed to the 40 pleats are periodically broken to correspond with spaces between cushions, so that the upholstery produced is a continuous piece composed of a series of cushions connected by short lengths of lining-fabric. The lining-fabric may be cut at I the spaces between cushions toefiect separation of the cushions-"I I In the present machine, use is made of a suction-conveyo'r" and associated] spaced ridges adapted to I fo'rm'. seam-ridges and intervening pleat-fullnesses m fabric; and, for the purpose of adapting the machineto handle with great i facility pre-cut covers, the present inventionemploys, incombination withtf'ie device mentioned, cover-placing mechanism adapted to position the covers, oneat a time, over the 'conveyorand the action of the suction conveyor.

head A, the frame beingprovided with a bed exa tension A over which the covers are fed; A a

ridges at the upper side of the conveyor, and co-- acting depressing devices, or pleat-formers, which operate todepress linear portions of the cover into the'spaces between the ridges and thus bring the cover fabric within the effective The seamridges of the cover are at the same time formed over the ridges associated with the conveyor. Preferably, the formers travel in cycles and are depressed progressively inpairs, firstat the media1 line of the machine and then. in both directions laterally therefrom. The effect is to progressively pleat'the cloth over the ridge-bars associated with the conveyor from the intermediate portion of the cloth laterally and progressively in both directions. i

. The present machine embodies certain improvements over the one described in my Patent No. 1,918,284, the application for which was filed October 30, 1930. .75 The inventionis illustrated in a preferred'embodiment in the accompanying drawings, in

' which a perspective view I of a completed upholstered seat and back; Fig. 8, a plan view of a seat cushion before fasteners are applied to the welt of the cushion cover; Fig. 9, a broken sectional view of a cushion, taken as indicated at line 99 of Fig. '7; Fig. 10, a transverse sectional view, taken as indicated at line 10 of Fig. 9; Fig. 11, a broken detail plan view of a seat cushion; Fig.12, an enlarged broken sectional view of a stuffed pleat; Fig. 13, a broken elevational view of a fastening device; and Fig. '14, a broken sectional view showing a modified form of fastening.

In the machine-embodiment illustrated, A designates a main frame which is equipped at its front end with a vertically adjustable cross-' frame-work which serves as a support for a battconveyor and other devices disposed over said frame B, a front suction-conveyor mounted in the bed of the machine; 13', an auxiliary-conveyor disposed back of the conveyor B; B (Fig. 2), 110

longitudinally extending ridge bars which extend over both conveyors and have their ends extending through peripheral grooves in a forming-roll mounted on the cross-head A; C, a series of sewing-mechanisms mounted on the crosshead and actuated by a common shaft C; D, a thread-supporting device supported on the frame A E, E, a pair of front feed rolls by which the upholstery is drawn through the front end of the machine; F, a forming-roll disposed back of and carried by the lower-portion of the crosshead A, said roll having spaced grooves through which the ridge-bars B extend; G, a series of lining creasers mounted on a transverse bar G carried by the bed; H, a front batt-forming roll which coacts with a concave H; I, I, an auxiliary pair of batt-feeding rolls journaled in' supports carried by the main frame, said auxiliary rolls being periodically arrested to cause severance of the batts; J, a shearing edge forming a part of the concave H and disposed immediately back of the front batt-feeding roll H; K, mounting blocks carried by the main frame and supporting the batt-feeding rolls and associated concave; L, sprockets, chains, gears, etc., which serve to drive various parts of the machine in timed relation; M, a slowly elevated fabric support, which serves to elevate a stack M of pre-cut covers; N, pieceplacing mechanism adapted to position the precut covers on the bed of the machine; 0, fabricforming mechanism cooperating with the suction conveyors and the ridge-bars in forming the covers into seam-ridges and intervening pleatfullnesses O, a cloth-tensioning device adapted to keep the covers in a flat smooth position while being handled by the machanism N; P, a lining fabric which is drawn from a roll P about a tensioning device P and thence to the forming-roll F; Q, a conveyor supported on the frame A and conveying the batts Q; R, a series of guides or short chutes mounted on the main frame and serving to guide the batts to the rolls I and I; and R a transverse shaft equipped with toothed battfeeding and directing disks R which serve to effectively direct and feedthe batts through the chutes R.

The frame A may be of any suitable construction.. In the illustration given, a bed-extension A is shown supported at its front end on a pedestal 10 of the main frame, and at its rear end on adjustable legs 100. K

The machine need not be described in detail, as the construction, with the exception of cloth tensioning device 0', is similar to the construction described in my application Ser. No. 572,691, filed November 2, 1931.

In the plan views shown in Figs. 3, 6 and 8, it will be noted that cover fabric M is provided with a transverse welt 11 (see also Fig. 12) which, in accordancewith the present invention, may be sewed in the fabric priorto its introduction into the machine. The cushions, after being formed by the machine, are separated by short spaces, at which point they are connected by the lining-fabric P. After a series of cushions, say 100 feet in length, has been formed, the liningfabric may be severed between the cushions.

From my companion application it will be understood that the piece-placing mechanism N comprises a goose-neck slide 12 I which is mounted to reciprocate upon guide-members 13, and

is provided with pusher-arms I4 whose lower front extremities are equipped with yielding friction-members 14 which are adapted to frictionallyengage the front. comer-portions of a cover-fabric and slide the fabric forwardly over the suction-conveyor into proper position to be engaged by the fabric-former O. The pusherarms are secured to a rock shaft 16 journaled in the goose necks 12.

The fabric-forming mechanism 0, also described in the companion case, is supported at its front end upon a frame member 20, and its rear end by a member 22 attached to the framework A It has been found that when the pusher-arms 14 advance a cover-fabric M, having the transverse welt 11, there is a tendency for the rear portion of the fabric to curl up over the intermediate portion and thereby interfere with the proper functioning of the fabric-forming mechanism O. This difiiculty has been overcome in the present machine by means of the cloth tensioning device 0. As a further aid to the tensioning effect, the front suction conveyor B may be operated at a slightly higher speed and with a greater suction than the auxiliary conveyor B.

The cloth tensioning device is provided with a pair of L-shaped supporting-arms 25 and supporting-bars 26, which are attached to the rear of the fabric-former O by means of bolts 25a and 26a. The arms and bars are attached together by bolt 26b and the-bars 26 are provided with intermediate perforations 260 so that in case it is desired to hold the device out of operative position the bolt 26b may be opened and arms 25 raised to a position which will permit the bolt to engage the perforation 260.

The lower ends of the supporting-arms 25 are equipped with guide-pins 27 which engage slots in the roller-carrying arms 28. A roller 29 is journaled in the arms 28 and said arms are pivotally connected at \28b to rock-arms 30 of the rock-shaft 31 which is journaled in the supporting arms.

In order to automatically raise the roller 29, at the proper time to permit the next coverfabric to be placed on the underlying table A a rod 32, having an adjustable yoke 32a, is provided to connect a rock-arm 30a, which is formed integrally with one of the rock-members 30, to an actuating-lever 33. The lever 33 is pivoted to one of the supporting-arms 25 at 33a and extends down into the path of the shaft 16 of the reciprocating piece-placing mechanism. The lower end of' the lever is provided. with a pawl 34, which normally is held back against a stop 331) by means of a spring 35, which is held in position by screws 3511. A tension spring 36 is provided to urge the lever rearwardly. It will be understood that the shaft 16 can only move the lever 33 during its forward movement.

A square stud 37 is mounted on one of the rock-members 30 and a lever 38, which is pivoted at 38a. and provided with a notch adapted to engagethe stud, serves as a trigger for holding the rock-member in its upper position. Like its companion lever 33, the lever 38 is provided with a stop 38a for a pawl 39, and a spring 40, held by screws 40a, holds the pawl in position. A tension spring 41 urges the lever into engagement with the stud 37. The downward travel of the roller 29 may be limited by means of an adjusting screw 42 mounted in a bracket 43 mounted on the supporting arm 25.

The operation of the fabric-tensioning device will be readily understood. When the pieceplacing mechanism N moves forward with a cover-fabric, the shaft 16 will trip the lever 38 and thereby permit the roller to drop into engagement with the fabric. Near the forward end of its travel the shaft will strike the lever 33 which in turn will raise and reset the roller in its upper position. i

The completed cushions may be attached to a suitable spring-structure, as shown in Fig. 9, which may comprise a wooden frame 45, helical springs 46 mounted thereon, upper and lower spring frames 4'1 and 48, and a burlap covering 49. The cushions are shown stretched over the structure and tacked to the wooden frame in the well known manner.

In order to secure the cushions in position and produce a very attractive tufted effect, a novel fastening is employed which 'may comprise a button 50, a chain 51 connected thereto, and a hook 52 on the lower end of the chain. A hole is pierced in the cushion at each point where the welt 11 crosses the seam-ridges which are between the pleats, and the hook and chains are inserted through the openings and drawn down to permit the hook to be snapped onto the spring frame 48. It will be understood that the chain passes through the welt and seam-ridge, thereby gripping the cushion at its strongest point and distributing the stress along the reinforced seam lines'of the cushion. A seat cushion and back cushion both may be anchored in this way, as shown in Fig. 7, and a veryattractive and durable structure will be obtained.

Fig. 14 illustrates a modification in which, instead of employing a button, a hook 53 and chain 54 are connected to the cushion by means of a small ring 55 which pierces the nested seamridge and the welt.

The foregoing detailed description has been given for clearness of understanding only, and

no unnecessary limitations should be understood.

therefrom, but the appended claims should be construedas' broadly as permissible, in view of the prior art. a spect to said axis.

What I regard as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent,is:

.1. In combination in a machine of the character set forth: a bed which includes longitudinal ridges over which a fabric may be formed;

piece-placing mechanism adapted to carry cover-fabrics forwardly to forming position; and fabric-tensioning mechanism including a normally elevated fabric-engaging member cooperatively related to said piece-placing mechanism and adapted to be lowered on to the cover-fabric to tension the same while-it is being moved forwardly by said piece-placing mechanism.

2. A machine as specified in claim 1, in which the mechanism .which includes said fabric-engaging member is actuated by said fabric-placing mechanism to effect raising and lowering of said fabricengaging member.

3. A machine as specified in claim 1, in which a fabric-forming mechanism is disposed above said bed and carries the mechanism which includes said fabric-engaging member.

4. A machineas specified in claim l, in which the mechanism which includes said fabric-engaging member comprises a stationary supporting frame and lever-mechanism mounted thereon placing mechanism; and cooperating fabric-tensioning mechanism comprising 'a stationary frame, a rear pair of levers mounted on said frame, a transversely disposed fabric-engaging member suspended from said levers; a latch device normally supporting said levers in elevated position, a front lever mounted on said frame and equipped with a re-setting arm, and a link connecting one of the rear levers and the front lever.

6. A machine as specified in claim 5, in which the latch device and the re-setting arm are actuated by said piece-placing mechanism.

7. In a machine of the character set forth: a bed over which cover-fabrics may be fed and formed, said bed including spaced longitudinal ridges; formers disposed above said bed and coacting therewith to form pleat fullnesses and intervening fabric-ridges in said cover-fabrics; piece-placing mechanism operating in timed relation to said formers and serving to carry coverfabrics forwardly over said bed; and fabric-tensioning mechanism actuated by said piece-placing mechanism and including a fabric-engaging member normally occupying an elevated position and adapted to be lowered on to the fabric while the fabric is being moved forwardly by the pieceplacing mechanism.

8. Means of the character set forth in claim '7, in which the fabric-tensioning mechanism includes a frame mounted on the rear portion of 5 the frame which carries said formers and includes, further, lever-mechanism carried by said first-mentioned frame and actuated by said pieceplacing mechanism.

9. In combination in a machine of the character set forth: a bed over which cover-fabrics may be fed and formed to provide pleat-fullnesses and intervening fabric-ridges; a frame mounted above said bed and equipped with fabric-forming mechanism cooperating with said bed; forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating piece-placing mechanism adapted to carry cover-fabrics forwardly and position them upon said bed; and fabric-tensioning mechanism comprising a frame mounted on and projecting rearwardly from said firstmentioned'frame, lever-mechanism mounted on said second-mentioned frame and actuated by said piece-placing mechanism, and a transversely disposed fabric-engaging roll normally supported in elevated position by saidlever-mechanism and adapted to lower said roll on to the cover-fabric after the cover-fabric is moved forward by the piece-placing mechanism.

-10..In a machine of the character set forth, a bed equipped with a suction-conveyor, and with spaced, longitudinally disposed ridge-bars disposed over said conveyor; forming mechanism disposed above said bed and including formers adapted to be lowered between saidridge-bars; forwardly and rearwardly reciprocating pieceplacing mechanism mounted -on said bed and operating in timed relation with respect to the operation of said forming-mechanism; and fabrictensioning mechanism, including a transversely disposed fabric-engaging member and actuating means therefor actuatedby said piece-placing mechanism.

11. In a machine of the character set forth: a fabric-placing mechanism; a fabric-tensioning device associated therewith; and means operable by said fabric-placing mechanism for automatically moving said tensloning device into and out a reciprocating piece-placing mechanism; a tensioning device adapted to engage and tension a piece of fabric while being moved by said pieceplacing mechanism; and means actuated by said mechanism for controlling the operation of said tensioning device.

13. In a machine of the character set forth: a reciprocating piece-placing mechanism; and a fabric-tensioning means comprising a fabricengaging member, mechanism for moving said member from operative position, and trigger means for holding said fabric-engaging member in inoperative position, said means being releasable by engagement with said piece-placing mechanism.

14. In a machine of the character set forth:

by said rock-shaft near the front portion of its travel to move said rpller from engagement with the fabric; and means for holding said roller in inoperative position, said means being releasable by said rock-shaft when the rock-shaft is near the rear limit of its travel.

ALLISTER Siv MITCHELL. 

